Tourist Brochure - Municipality of Šempeter-Vrtojba

Municipality of Šempeter-Vrtojba

Občina Šempeter-Vrtojba

Velcome to Šempeter pri Gorici and Vrtojba - a piece of land, that has always been a charming junction of the Mediterranean and the North, a place, where the Slavonic, Roman and German worlds meet. It is the gate to a variety of cultures and nationalities. If you climb the hill of St. Mark, you can see the horizon that separates the sea from the sky. A line, linking the ancient times with the present and even the

Venice (IT)

Villach (AT)

141 km

175 km

The Hills of Goriška brda

Gorizia (IT) Miren

The R Mt. Sabotin

Nova Gorica

Mt. Sveta gora

Šempeter

past with the beyond as this is the site where archaeological findings dating back to the 12th century BC were discovered.

unique: one of the biggest climbing walls in Slovenia where there is always something going on.

This can be a starting point to all the cardinal directions or, if you prefer, a nice place to make a stop. You will find yourself on the line between urban surroundings and a natural landscape.

Are you interested in social life? No problem.

We suggest events such as Boreljada, Šalamjada, Dance Summer, Carnival, St. Peter’s Day, Martin’s Furenga (a parade of horse-drawn carts) and many more. You know, in a nice place where neighbours know each other, there is always something going on. Have you been woken up by our monumental church bells? Well, you can do one of the following:

You can take a walk through blooming orchards, go jogging across green meadows or admire the beautiful vineyards of Vrtojba – Bilje Hills while cycling. Next to the Primary School of Šempeter, we also have something really special and

a) put your pillow over your head, b) enjoy the intensive sound that cleans the atmosphere and fills the spirit, c) consider it a warm welcome.

Ljubljana

104 km

River Soča Valley Mt. Škabrijel

Lijak

Vrtojba

A view of Šempeter and Vrtojba from Cerje.

History The oldest traces of our ancestors were found on the slopes of St. Mark Hill where something must have been happening as much as 3000 years ago in The Bronze Age. On the western side of the hill, a young peasant found a buried treasure back in 1867. It contained 400 kilos of bronze artefacts, mainly axes but also fibulae, bracelets, needles and spearheads. This depot is considered one of the most important and biggest in Europe.

Unfortunately, only 72 pieces, which are mainly kept in the museums of Gorizia (IT) and Vienna (AT), have been preserved to the present time.

The artefacts from Ĺ empeter are dated to the time from the 12th century BC on, most of them dating to the period from the 9th to the 7th centuries BC. It is not known why these pieces, kept in ceramic pots, were collected. One possible explanation is that they were meant to be melted and reused later.

However, some archaeologists now believe that they were votive offerings kept in secret spots, used to communicate with gods.

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There must have been a settlement, too, as pre-historic ceramics and cremated human remains were found on the site.

Depots were very common in the Bronze Age. They were buried treasures containing metal objects, mostly tools and weapons. Some of them only contained a few pieces, others more than a hundred.

The aim of the buried treasures is unknown. However, as they are usually found in hidden places such as caves, rock cracks or near the streams, they are believed to be votive offerings for the gods.

Three figural capitals built in on the walls around the Šempeter church might be the only remains of the earlier late gothic church erected on this spot.

Šempeter (de sancto Petro) was first mentioned in the years around 1200 in the list of estates of the Counts of Gorizia. The name shows that the settlement was big and developed enough to have its own church dedicated to St. Peter. The premodifier prope Goritiam (near Gorizia) was added in the Middle Ages. Other estates mentioned in the list are those in Lavžnik (in Losinc) and Vrtojba (de Toyva superiori and inferiori Toyfa). Around 1350, the village of Vrtojba is mentioned in the Land Records of the Counts of Gorizia as Vertoib. At the time, the village was divided in two separate parts, the Upper and Lower Vrtojba, which became a single village only after World War I. Since 1998 both localities form the municipality of Šempeter–Vrtojba.

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The Coronini von Cromberg Noble Family of Šempeter

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The Coronini Family comes from the vicinity of Bergamo (Italy) in Lombardy and is most probably of Lombard origin. They settled in Friulian (Friuli) and the Gorizia region towards the end of the15th century. The Šempeter branch of the Coronini Cronberg family was started by Alexius (1580–1679) while its most famous member was Johann Baptist Alexius (1794–1880) who distinguished himself in the Austro-Hungarian army and state administration. Between 1836 and 1848 he was the educator of the young Franz Joseph who later became the emperor of Austria-Hungary. In 1856 Johan Baptist had a chapel built in the Šempeter Cemetery, which later became the family tomb of the Coroninis, visited a few times even by his Majesty, the Emperor Franz Joseph himself. The chapel was destroyed in World War I but the tomb remained untouched so in 2013 the last male descendant of the Šempeter branch of the Coronini family Giovanni Coronini Cronberg was buried there. As the Coroninis were very popular in Šempeter, the people called him Count Ivan. Nowadays, in their mansion with a large park situated behind the church, you will find the Town Hall where a permanent exhibition narrating the story of the Coronini noble family can be visited.

The Coronini Mansion was built in the 19th Century by Johann Baptist (1794–1880). During World War I the building was almost totally destroyed but reconstructed between 1927 and 1930 by the famous architect Max Fabiani. However, the family could not repay their debts so they were forced to sell it. It was acquired by the Italian Aviation Force that transformed it into an institute for the children of the deceased Italian aviators (Maddalena Insitute).

Johann Baptist Coronini (1936–2013) Alexius Coronini (1898–1979)

Rudolf Coronini (1860–1918) Franz Karl Alexius Coronini (1833–1901) The first Mayor of Šempeter (1868–1899) President of the Vienna Chamber of Deputies (1879–1881) Governor of Gorizia Province (1870–1877, 1833–1899) Johann Baptist Alexander Coronini (1794–1880) Educator of emperor Franz Joseph (1836–1848) Civil and military Governor of Banat and Vojvodina (1851–1859) Ban of Croatia (1859–1860) Johnn Baptist Clemens Alexius Anton Coronini (1761–1847) Joseph Franz Anton Michael Izidor Coronini (1734–1790) Nephew Johann Baptist Boniface Coronini (1689–1750) Franz Anton Coronini (1665–1732)

Johann Baptist Coronini (1627–1698)

Alexius Coroninus (1580–1679)

Angelika von Schuckmann (1941) Maria Theresa Normann Ehrenfels (1895–1978) Maria Anna baroness Tacco von Foelsenstein und St. Florian (1912–1995) Marianna von Oppersdorff (1871–1965) Selma Sofia Cristalnigg (1832–1919)

Marianna Testa-Carcano-Marsciano (1797–1855)

Eleonora Strassoldo (1764–1842)

Clementine von Leiningen-Dagsburg (1740–1827)

Magdalena Hiacint de Simonetti (1714–1744)

Maria Cecil baroness von Weidmannsdorf (1671–1719) Ursula Catherine del Mestri von Schoenberg (1628–1721) Catherin di Moscon (1586–1656)

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Parish Churches St. Peter’s Church in Šempeter pri Gorici Most probably, the church had already existed before the locality de sancto Petro was first mentioned in 1200. However, there certainly existed a late gothic building erected at the time of the foundation of the parish, i.e. before 1425. The church was thoroughly reconstructed in the Baroque. Between 1618 and 1773, the parish was run by the Jesuits of Gorizia who built the Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher between 1663 and 1666. During World War I, the church and the chapel were almost completely demolished, while the interior furnishing went lost or devastated.

Nowadays, a Neo-Romanesque parish church erected after World War I, designed by the architect and Plečnik’s contemporary Maks Fabiani (1865–1962) stands on the site. It was consecrated in 1929.

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The church apse is decorated with two angels adorant that were previously a part of the main Baroque altar. Among the baroque paintings, the only preserved is the picture of the Holy Mother of the Rosary with St. Dominique and St. Catherin of Siena hanging on the left side of the arch wall. It used to belong to the Brotherhood of the Rosary. It was painted by the well-known painter Janez Mihael Lichtenreit (1705–1780), one of the most important 18th-century painters of the Goriška region. The painter, born in Passau got married in this church to Doroteja Dragogna from a distinguished notary family from Šempeter on 24th June 1737.

The people of Šempeter have been able to check the time on the church tower since at least 1780.

Janez Mihael Lichtenreit (1705–1780), The Holy Mother of the Rosary with St. Dominique and St. Catherine of Siena.

Also worth seeing is the picture of St. Peter and Paul (now being kept in the sacristy) by Clemente del Neri (1865–1943), a painter and restorer from Gorizia. The monumental altar figure of St. Peter (1928) is a work by Guido Cadorini (1892–1978), a Venice painter, the father of Ida Cadorini Barbarigo, Zoran Mušič’s spouse. Both, the Stations of the Cross and St. Joseph with the Baby were painted by a Gorizian painter Emma Galli (1893–1982). The fresco the Baptism in the River Jordan in the baptistery and the sculpture of Mary’s Heart on the left-hand side altar are both Tone Kralj’s works of art. The sculptures Christ Crucified and Sacred Heart of Jesus (both from 1929) on the righthand side altar were both created by the sculptor France Gorše (1897–1986).

Church of the Sacred Heart in Vrtojba In the years 1924 and 1925, the Church of the Sacred Heart designed by A. Radovič was erected in the middle of Vrtojba. The construction of the Neo-Romanesque church was supervised by Maks Fabiani (1865–1962). It was consecrated on 13th December 1925; the Oglej-style church tower was added later.

The big marble Neo-Romanesque altar is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Tone Kralj (1900–1975), a famous Slovene painter, is the author of quiet a few paintings inside the church: a triptych of The Sacred Heart (1956) on the apsidal wall and the frescos on the arches separating the main and the side naves. The frescos date back to 1954 and 1957.

Tone Kralj, 1900–1975, Christ Crucified among Friends and Enemies (detail)

In the cavity of the left-hand side altar you can admire The Holy Mother of Lourdes, a statue by a Tyrol author, while in the cavity of the right-hand side altar there is a sculpture of St. Joseph by the Tyrol sculptor Goffred Moroder created in 1930.

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The Walk of Peace Never again!

The Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic is a memorial commemorating the numerous casualties of World War I and a warning for future generations.

“St. Peter! What a sorrowful sight! Dim red setting sun on the horizon and the skyline of empty ruins…”

(The Edinost, 11th November 1917) Caverns, dugouts, fortifications and cemeteries are the inheritance of the Isonzo Front that ran across our territory.

Thousands of young boys and men of various nationalities fought here. However, the sorrows of war stroke the civilians of the towns and villages by the front, too.

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The news of the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand reached Šempeter on 29th June 1914, the day of Šempeter’s patron St. Peter. It resulted in the mobilizing of numerous conscripts. In 1916, Šempeter and Vrtojba were on the very front line so the civilians were forced to flee from their homes. Both towns were destroyed.

In our municipality, the trail of the Walk of Peace takes you along roads with little traffic linking two important spots: the hills of St. Mark and St. Otto. Alongside the way, you will find seven information boards in four languages.

Watchtower In the former military watchtower, erected in Vrtojba just next to the former Italian-Yugoslav border by the Yugoslav Army in 1948 and used to keep strict control of the border until 1991, you will find the smallest Slovenian museum.

The exhibition of the way of life alongside the new state border, which thanks to the political confrontation between socialism and capitalism, the tension between the Blocks and the Cold War, was strictly controlled. It narrates the shock the people of the GoriĹĄka region suffered when the new border drastically changed their lives, separated families and broke up friendships.

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Gorizia Castle, Mt. Sveta Gora, Franciscan Monastery of Kostanjevica above Nova Gorica, Miren Castle ‌ when the traveler looks in the distance from the top of the watchtower, the world seems to be within hand's reach.

Vrtojba-Bilje Hills The hills are considered to be the biggest and most picturesque vineyard in Slovenia – 240 hectares of vines. Take a stroll though the vineyards. Or, if you need more action, go for a jog or on a cycling trip. In autumn thousands of starlings gather here before heading south. They rattle, crack, crackle and whistle. What a concert!

Feel like having a glass of wine? Have some merlot, it is said to be the best.

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Round Trail One of the most beautiful and exciting trails will take you through the scenery of the VrtojbaBilje Hills. It will take you an hour or two to get around. You do not need to be an experienced rider, a mountain bike is recommended, though.

With some ascents and descents, it will take you through forests and vineyards. You will cycle on grass, sand or marl ground. Cycling is possible all year round; with heavy rains you should expect some muddy pools, though. You could find it difficult from the orientation point of view, but you are not very likely to get lost. You can walk or run in any direction.

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Legend: 1. Starting point with a car park, a picnic area and an info-board of the exercise trail and the first info-board of the Vrtojba section of the Walk of Peace.

2. On the signposted, 250 m-long St. Otto Forest Study Path you can learn about 16 different kinds of trees.

3. On the top of St. Otto Hill there is a Monument of the Isonzo Front, a picnic area and a viewing point.

4. Military cemetery from World War I. The info-board gives information on 282 AustroHungarian soldiers buried here.

5. 250 hectares of vineyards with cycling paths.

6. Viewing point among the vineyards.

7. German shelter from World War II. 8. Exercise trail with 16 stops. Some of them are equipped.

9. Stone fence made of 3000 Italian tombstones from World War I, 3000 are built in the stone walls alongside the exercise trail.

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Vrtojba

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Dance Dance means energy. It fills the atmosphere of Šempeter every summer. Dance Summer is a festival offering a wonderful dance event. You sleep, eat and dance. All week round. It is getting better and better. The participants are mentored by dance teachers from all over the world. They perform in Šempeter square. Hiphop, jazz, modern ballet … Great energy!

Contact: www.plesnopoletje.com

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Dance Summer Time: second half of August Location: Šempeter pri Gorici Organized by: M&N Dance Company

Climbing Wall Rock climbers, even those most ambitious will take great satisfaction out of climbing the wall situated next to the Šempeter Primary School.

Height: 8,5m, 4 difficulty levels (slab, overhang, crag, bulge), 1,000 sqm of climbing surface, 8,000 different holds, 60 anchorage points, innumerous directions. One of the biggest climbing centres in Slovenia.

“Nothing is real, everything is possible.”

Contact: www.des.si, desjezakon@gmail.com

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Carnival Time: Carnival Saturday Location: Šempeter pri Gorici Organized by: KŠTM Šempeter-Vrtojba and other associations

Carnival Šempeter only shows its real face during the Carnival. On Carnival Saturday people take off their masks, tractors return to their original state and become furious caterpillars again while their drivers with blond wigs put on miniskirts and network stockings. When the kurents arrive, the procession starts rolling down the streets and everything is over … until Tuesday.

Boreljada

procession of borelas full of flowers and homemade products.

Boreljada Borela is a small cart on two wheels that you push in front of yourself. Mind you, it is not a wheelbarrow! The difference is very important to the locals, as it has always been a symbol of Vrtojba. In the past, it was used to carry the tools to the fields and the crops to the market.

Every year in September, the Borela Festival called Boreljada takes place. It is a cultural, ethnologic and sports event culminating in a

Šalamjada Šalam means salami, but not any salami is a šalam. Šalamjada, which every summer takes place in Šempeter and Vrtojba, is in fact the assessment of salamis made by the locals.

Boreljada Time: First week-end in September Location: Vrtojba Organized by: Local Committee of Vrtojba and other associations Boreljada

Šalamjada

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The Tastes of Our Territory The local cuisine is delicious and unforgettable. Polenta (cornmeal boiled into porridge), vegetable soups (for example šelinka made of celery), frtalja (egg omelette), Easter fulje (bread dumplings) and many other dishes the ladies and girls of Šempetr and Vrtojba are rightly proud of. The genuine taste of home-made dishes and desserts, served by the ladies wearing traditional costumes, are a must at any bigger event in the area.

Hungry? Come and taste them all. You won’t regret it.

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Ladies and girls of Šempeter and Vrtojba revive old customs and knowledge as well as teach the villagers about the importance of our settlements in the past.

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Other Major Events Maypole Erection Time: April, 30th Location: Various locations in Šempeter and Vrtojba Organized by: Local Committees of Šempetr and Vrtojba, Tourist Association of the Municipality of Šempeter-Vrtojba, Voluntary Firefighting Association of Šempeter, other associations and individuals

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St. Peter’s Festival Time: Peter’s Sunday Locaton: Šempeter pri Gorici Organized by: Local Committee of Šempeter pri Gorici and other associations.

Summer in the Square Time: July, August Location: Šempeter pri Gorici Organized by: Institute for Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth of Šempeter-Vrtojba St. Martin’s Horse-drowned Carts Procession Time: November Location: Various locations in Šempeter and Vrtojba Organized by: Tourist Association of the Municipality of Šempeter-Vrtojba and other asociations International Dog Show Time: November Location: HIT Sports Centre Organized by: Kennel Club Vrtojba

Info Police: 113 Fire brigade: 112 Medical emergency: 112 Road assistance: 1987 Traffic info: 1970 Phone directory info: 1188 Emergency medical service: +386 5 338 33 33 Dental walk-in centre: +386 5 335 55 34 Tourist Information Centre Trg Ivana Roba 4, Šempeter pri Gorici Tel.: +386 5 393 61 17, +386 5 393 61 16 www.gea-sp.si

Food The Rutinca Inn Ulica 9. septembra 152, Vrtojba Phone: +386 5 303 61 50 E-mail: gastrum@siol.net The Lipa Hotel Trg Ivana Roba 7, Šempeter pri Gorici Phone: +386 5 336 60 00 E-mail: hotel.lipa@hit.si www.hit.si

The Mark Restaurant Markova pot 25, Šempeter pri Gorici Phone: +386 5 303 11 03 www.restavracijamark.com The Zdenka Café Ulica padlih borcev 1, Šempeter pri Gorici Phone: +386 41 341 231 The Luna Pizza Restaurant Ulica 9. septembra 152, Vrtojba Phone: +386 5 393 00 66 The Gatis Café Polje 4, Šempeter pri Gorici www.gatis-co.si/avtocenter/okrepcevalnica/ The Milaso Restaurant Mednarodni prehod 1, Šempeter pri Gorici The Gambling Saloon – Casino Drive In Mednarodni prehod 1, Šempeter pri Gorici www.thecasinodrivein.com Phone: +386 5 338 45 60 The Biškut Saloon Na Pristavi 7, Šempeter pri Gorici Phone: +386 5 393 90 83

Accommodation The Lipa Hotel Trg Ivana Roba 7, Šempeter pri Gorici Phone: +386 5 336 60 00 www.hotellipa.com Dormitory/The Youth Hostel Ulica padlih borcev 26, Šempeter pri Gorici Phone: +386 5 62 05 740

Other useful addresses Šempeter-Vrtojba Town Hall Trg Ivana Roba 3a, Šempeter pri Gorici Phone: +386 5 335 10 00 Fax: +386 5 335 10 07 E-mail: info@sempeter-vrtojba.si www.sempeter-vrtojba.si Institute for Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth Šempeter-Vrtojba (KŠTM) Ul. 9. septembra 137, Vrtojba www.kstm-sempeter-vrtojba.si Phone: +386 5 393 80 09 Post office Vrtojbenska cesta 21a, Šempeter pri Gorici Phone: +386 5 303 12 74

Published by Municipality of Šempeter-Vrtojba - Text by Klavdija Figelj - Translated by Blanka Leban - Photographies: Archives of the Municipality of Šempeter-Vrtojba, Iris Batista, Marko Bratina, Blaž Erzetič, Photo Studio Pavšič Zavadlav - Designed by Blaž Erzetič - Printed by Tiskarna Present, Ljubljana - Number of copies: 5,000

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